Head mounted light therapy device

ABSTRACT

A portable, lightweight, head-mounted light therapy device is disclosed. The device comprises an one or more selectable light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), to provide bright or dim red light, bright or dim white light, or a combination thereof, selectable by the user, for shining on the user&#39;s face and eyes. The device can be used for the treatment of light deficiency disorders or conditions and circadian rhythm disorders and disturbances.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisionalpatent application No. 61/387959, filed Sep. 29, 2010, which isincorporated herein in its entirety as though set forth explicitlyherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to light therapy devices. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to light therapy devices forthe treatment of illness and diseases, such as seasonal affectivedisorder, winter blues and other light deficient disorders, and for thetreatment of circadian rhythm disorders and disturbances.

BACKGROUND

Seasonal change can result in low mood and energy. Light is responsiblefor establishing our circadian rhythms: biological patterns over a 24hour period or what is generally known as a “biological clock”.Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland in humans isresponsible for the entrainment of circadian rhythms for many biologicalfunctions. This naturally occurring hormone is only produced in humansat night and is therefore known as the ‘hormone of darkness’. Hormoneproduction is, in fact, controlled according to light exposure. A typeof cell in the retina, called photosensitive ganglion cells, interpretslight/dark information and carries this information to the brainsignalling the release of melatonin when dark. Melatonin secretion inhumans can control a number of biological functions includingreproduction, behaviour, hair growth, increases in leptin production(thereby increasing food intake), sleepiness, and libido suppression.

Another hormone, serotonin, also has a significant impact on mood andmood regulation and plays a major role in disruptions to circadianrhythms and in turn, mood regulation. Serotonin is converted intomelatonin. This happens as light levels fall in the evening and thepineal gland signals for melatonin production to increase. Thus, theactions of serotonin and melatonin appear to be opposing, with serotoninstimulating us during the daytime and melatonin inducing sleep at night.In mood disorders caused by disruptions to circadian rhythms, melatoninlevels tend to be higher than normal during the day; thus, sufferersexperience sleepiness and other melatonin induced effects, and are alsoprone to serotonin deficiency symptoms such as negative emotionalstates. As a result of the close relationship between serotonin andmelatonin, circadian rhythm dysfunction may be seen as complementary toeach other rather than as distinct explanations for disorders caused bycircadian rhythm disruptions or other light deficiencies.

Light deficiency is implicated in a variety of mood disorders including:Seasonal Affective Disorder (“SAD”), Sub-Syndromal Seasonal DefectiveDisorder, the “winter blues”, jet-lag, and shift work, the symptoms ofwhich range from mild to major depression, lethargy, restlessness,increased appetite, diminished libido, weight gain, and general malaise.It has also been suggested that light deficiency can be implicated inmore significant mood disorders including bi-polarism and majordepressive syndromes.

The use of bright or dim red light, or bright or dim white light,directed toward a user's face and eyes may temporarily suppress brainmelatonin levels and enhance brain serotonin, resulting in moodelevation and wakefulness. Further, the use of bright or dim red light,or bright or dim white light, directed toward a user's face and eyes mayelevate the mood of users suffering from winter blues and is aneffective treatment for other light deficient disorders, including SADand Sub-Syndromal Seasonal Affective Disorder (S-SAD). Bright or dim redlight, or bright or dim white light, directed toward a user's face andeyes may also be effective in the treatment of circadian rhythmdisorders and disturbances, including jet-lag, sleep disorders andpre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and has positive effects on weight loss,reduces fatigue and promotes wakefulness, and may also be effective inthe treatment of certain sexual dysfunctions and chronic fatiguesyndrome as well as in the treatment of non-seasonal depression andother psychiatric disorders, including antepartum depression,post-partum depression, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.

Lam, et al. (“The Can-SAD Study: A randomized controlled trial of theeffectiveness of light therapy and fluoxetine in patients with winterseasonal affective disorder.” Am. J Psychiatry, 2006;163 :805-812)compared efficacy of light therapy versus fluoxetine treatments withpatients with SAD and showed overall improvement with time, with nodifferences between the treatments, and supports the effectiveness andtolerability of both treatments for seasonal affective disorder.

In Gallin, et al. (“Ophthalmologic examination of pateints with seasonalaffective disorder, before and after bright light therapy.” Am J. ofOphthalmology 1995;119:202-210), patients suffering from SAD receivinglight treatment showed no ocular changes or abnormalities followingshort or long term treatment, and showed that light therapy yields abouta 75% clinical remissions rate.

Other studies have shown the benefits of dim red light versus bright redlight (Levitt et al., “Dim versus bright red (light-emitting diode)light in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder.” Acta PsychiatrScand 1994;89:341-45); treatment of SAD (Wileman et al., “Light therapyfor seasonal affective disorder in primary care.” British J Psychiatry2001;178:311-16);

Light therapy directed at the face and eyes of a user can be deliveredvia a variety of device designs employing various light sources,including fluorescent, halogen, laser, incandescent, or light-emittingdiodes (LEDs). Desk and floor mounted light boxes were traditionallyused to deliver bright white light to a user sitting in front of orfacing the device. Such devices are often large, heavy and not easilyportable. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,846,084 to MeNew, describes adevice having a compartment in an enclosure therein comprising aplatform on which a user reclines his or her entire body. Devices ofthis sort are not practical for most patients, especially those for whommobility is an issue. One benefit of a head mounted device is that itcan deliver bright or dim red light or bright or dim white light withless restriction on a user's mobility.

In Meesters, et al. (“Prophylactic treatment of seasonal affectivedisorder (SAD) by using light visors: bright white or infrared light?”Biol. Psychiatry 1999;46:239-46), a study of 38 patients with SAD foundthat light visors can be effectively used to prevent the development ofSAD.

Joffe et al. (“Light visor treatment for seasonal affective disorder: amulticenter study.” Psychiatry Research 1993;46:29-39) showed that lighttherapy using light visors has an antidepressant action by a nonspecificeffect or that light is biologically active in the treatment of SADacross a wide range of intensities.

However, many currently available head-mounted devices rely on mountingmechanisms that are impractical and bulky, or are positioned too closeto the eyes for comfort or convenience, and/or are not adjustable. Also,certain existing head mounted devices typically offer red, white or blueand green light, which may be inefficient for offering optimal treatmentand comfort to the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,225, to Pederson et al. (The Litebook Company Ltd.),describes a hand-held light therapy device which generates a pluralityof LEDs at 2,500 to 7,500 lux at 12 inches.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,850,720, to Shefi et al., describes a light therapydevice. The device comprises a light source and mount means, including aheadgear. The device is connected to a controller circuit and coolingfan. However, the device is not particularly suited for portable use, inbulky, and is not attractive to the wearer for everyday use.

PCT Patent Publication WO 2010/092501, to Paul et al. (KoninklijkePhilips Electronics, N.V.), describes a light therapy device comprisinga plurality of lighting modules which attach to the user's face,surrounding the user's eyes. The use of adhesives to attach the lightingmodules can be unpleasant to the user, particularly when applying orremoving the lighting modules from the face on the delicate tissuesurrounding the eyes.

What is needed, therefore, is a lightweight, adjustable and highlyportable head mounted light box that delivers an array of any of brightor dim red light, bright or dim white light or a combination of brightor dim red and white light to a user's face and eyes, for treatingvarious diseases or conditions associated with light deficiency.

This background information is provided for the purpose of making knowninformation believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to thepresent invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should beconstrued, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior artagainst the present invention.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable,lightweight, head-mounted light therapy device.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a portable head-mounted light therapy device comprising: astrap for securing the device to a user's head; and a light boxconnected to the strap and comprising one or more light sourcesselectable by the user and directable to a face or one or more eyes ofthe user, wherein the one or more light sources provides white light,red light, or a combination thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a portable head-mounted light therapy device comprising: astrap for securing the device to a user's head; and a light boxconnected to the strap and comprising one or more light sourcesselectable by the user and directable to a face or one or more eyes ofthe user, wherein the one or more light sources provides a combinationof white light and red light.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a light box for a portable head-mounted light therapy device,the light box comprising one or more light sources selectable by a userand directable to a face or one or more eyes of the user, wherein theone or more light sources provides white light, red light, or acombination thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a light box for a portable head-mounted light therapy device,the light box comprising one or more light sources selectable by a userand directable to a face or one or more eyes of the user, wherein theone or more light sources provides a combination of white light and redlight.

The device in accordance with the present invention is an adjustable,head-mounted light therapy device, such as a visor or the like. Ideally,the device is portable and constructed from lightweight and durablematerials. The device uses an array of bright or dim red light-emittingdiodes (LEDs) and bright or dim white LEDs as a light source. The deviceof the present invention can have a luminous emittance configured toabout 80 to about 800 lux at 5 cm. In one embodiment, the device isconfigured for red light at about 80 lux (at 5 cm) and white light atabout 800 lux (at 5 cm). However, the device can be adjusted and/orreconfigured to change the light source output, such as with inclusionof additional LEDs, increased brightness of the LEDs, or an increase inpower. The light sources can be selectable and switchable, eitherindependently or in combination, such that one or more bright and/or dimred lights, and/or one or more bright or dim white lights, or acombination of bright and/or dim red and white lights, are activated atany given time. Thus, any combination of red and/or white lights can beilluminated. In one embodiment, the device provides both red lights andwhite lights.

In one embodiment, the device is configured with a resistor, or dimmer,that allows the user to increase or decrease the power to the LEDs,thereby increasing or decreasing (dimming) the light emitted by thedevice. LEDs provide a lightweight, energy efficient, inexpensive, andlasting light source. The LEDs are contained in an adjustable, tiltinglight box assembly that allows the user to determine optimal lightdirection for treatment, and adjust over eyeglasses if required. Thearray of light is directed through a diffuser lens that casts a broadwash of red light, white light or a combination of red and white lightacross the user's eyes for optimal treatment and comfort. The light boxassembly contains one or more actuators that allows a user to selectbright and/or dim red light, bright and/or white light or a combinationof red and white light, and/or to switch the device on or off.

The light box assembly of the device of the present invention can bepowered by any suitable means and, ideally, an inexpensive, portable,and readily available power source. In one embodiment, the presentdevice contains three AAA dry-cell batteries.

The present device can also comprise an adjustable head mount assemblyallowing users to adjust the fit of the device for optimal treatment andcomfort.

The present device can fold to a form factor similar to folded glassesrendering it portable and convenient.

The present device provides an unexpected benefit over current lighttherapy devices, including existing floor and desk mounted devices andexisting head mounted devices, by allowing a user to select either oneor more bright or dim red lights, one or more bright or dim white lightsor a combination of bright and/or dim red light and white light, in alightweight, portable head mounted device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of treating a disease or condition associated withlight deficiency in a user, comprising providing the portablehead-mounted light therapy device of the present invention to the user,placing the device on the head of the user, actuating the light sourceand directing light from the light source to a face and one or more eyesof the user. The device of the present invention can be used fortreating diseases or conditions such as seasonal affective disorder,sub-syndromal seasonal defective disorder, sub-syndromal seasonalaffective disorder, jet-lag, generalized mood disorder, pre-menstrualsyndrome, sleep disorder, or antepartum depression, post-partumdepression, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of one embodiment of a head-mountedlight therapy device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of one embodiment of a light boxassembly of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of one embodiment of a head mountassembly of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of one embodiment of a head-mounted light therapydevice of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs.

As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

The term “comprising” as used herein will be understood to mean that thelist following is non-exhaustive and may or may not include any otheradditional suitable items, for example one or more further feature(s)and/or component(s) as appropriate.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provideda portable head-mounted light therapy device comprising: a strap forsecuring the device to a user's head; and a light box connected to thestrap and comprising one or more light sources selectable by the userand directable to a face or one or more eyes of the user, wherein theone or more light sources provides white light, red light, or acombination thereof.

Referring to the figures, FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the device ofthe present invention. Light box assembly 1 provides one or more lightsources, such as wavelengths of white and red light, to the user's faceand eyes. On the light box assembly 1, an actuator, such as a switchingmechanism 2 is provided. The switching mechanism 2 can provide a numberof options for the user. For example, activating the switching mechanism2 can change the desired light source. This can include switching thelight source from red light to white light, or to a combination of redand white light. Thus, the light sources can be switchable, either aloneor in combination, such that one or more red and/or one or more whitelights can be activated at any given time, to provide any combination ofred and/or white lights, including both red lights and white lights. Theswitching mechanism 2 can also be used to turn on or off the lightsource. Alternatively, an additional actuator may be provided toactivate or deactivate the light source.

The device of the present invention can have a luminous emittanceconfigured to about 80 to about 800 lux at 5 cm. In one embodiment, thedevice is configured for red light at about 80 lux (at 5 cm) and whitelight at about 800 lux (at 5 cm). However, the device can be adjustedand/or reconfigured to change the light source output, such as withinclusion of additional LEDs, increased brightness of the LEDs, or anincrease in power.

In one embodiment, the device is configured with a resistor, or dimmer(not shown), that allows the user to increase or decrease the power tothe LEDs, thereby increasing or decreasing (dimming) the light emittedby the device. This can be in addition to the switching mechanism, orthe dimming function can be part of the switching mechanism. As desired,the dimmer can cause one or more LEDs to dim, either of the same colour(for example, dimming all red lights or all white lights) or of adifferent colour (for example, dimming one or more red lights and/or oneor more white lights).

As would be understood, the terms “bright” and “dim” intend toqualitatively describe the intensity of the light source. A “bright”light would have a higher luminous intensity than a “dim” light.

As shown in FIG. 1, the device of the present invention can have a headmount assembly 3. The head mount assembly 3 comprises an adjustablestrap 30 which can sized to fit the dimensions of a user's head. Thedevice can also sit on or above the ears of the user, to alloweyeglasses to be worn in conjunction with the device, if desired.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the light box assembly in isolation. Thelight box assembly as shown comprises a generally rectangular housing 4having a top cover 7. If desired, the top cover 7 can be embellishedwith fashionable colours or ornamental designs. The assembly comprises acircuit board 5 for controlling the light source. One or more LEDs 6 areprovided. In typical embodiments, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more LEDs can beused. As mentioned above, one or more of the LEDs can be activated toprovide a desired light source.

A lens 8 of a generally transparent material (such as, for example,plastic, glass or the like) can be present. The lens 8 protects the LEDsfrom damage and can provide a broad wash of light emanating from thelight source to the user.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown one embodiment of a head mountassembly in isolation, which can be used in the device of the presentinvention. The head mount assembly generally comprises arms 10 and 11which, when placed on a user, fit on each side of the user's head. Thearms 10, 11 comprise a soft, resilient material, such as rubber, felt,plastic, or the like, to contour to the user's head and provide optimalcomfort. Extending rearwardly from the arms is a strap, such as abackstrap 12 which fits on the back of the user's head. The backstrap 12is typically of an elastic material to facilitate stretching and a snugfit on the user's head. The backstrap 12 can be integral with the arms10, 11, or can be attached thereto. The arms 10, 11 and/or the backstrap12 are adjustable in length using any standard lengthening mechanismknown in the art.

The head mount assembly comprises a cross housing 9 to which arms 10, 11connect. The cross housing 9 is generally perpendicular to the arms 10,11, providing a base with which the light box assembly engages. Thecross housing 9 typically contains the power source (such as batteries)for operating the light source in the light box assembly. In certainembodiments, arms 10, 11 connect with the cross housing at a hinge toprovide additional flexibility to the arms. A cross strap 14 (which caneither be integral with strap 12 or the material in arms 10, 11) can beprovided. The cross strap 14 is generally parallel to the cross housing9. The cross strap 14 is similarly of an elastic material to restcomfortably and snugly on the forehead of the user.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the device of the present invention, asassembled with a light box assembly connected to a head mount assembly13. The light box assembly can be affixed to or integral with the headmount assembly in any suitable way, and in some embodiments can beremovable by the user. The light box assembly can be generally pivotableupwards or downwards relative to the head mount assembly 13. This allowsthe light box assembly, and the light emanating from it, to be tilted atan angle from a substantially vertical plane in front of and parallel tothe face of the user. The light box assembly can be tilted ideally up to25 degrees or more as required. For example, the light box assembly canbe tilted about −5 degrees off the vertical plane (i.e., away from theuser's face), or about +20 degrees off the vertical plane (i.e., towardthe user's face). Alternatively, the entire device can be tilted up ordown on the head by adjusting the strap (either the cross strap 14 orbackstrap 12) and/or arms 10, 11.

In use, a user places the device of the present invention on top of hisor her head, with the backstrap 12 at the back of the head and the crossstrap 14 at the front. The user typically adjusts the backstrap 12 toensure a snug fit of the device on his or her head. The user thenactivates the switching mechanism 2 to turn on the light source. Theuser can then activate the switching mechanism one or more additionaltimes to select a desired light source, such as red light, white light,or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the user can tilt the angle ofthe entire device and/or the light box to provide a different lightoutput at a different distance, if desired. The device can be keptactivated, with one or more different light sources, for as long asdesired by the user or as required by a practitioner.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in thisSpecification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled inthe art to which this invention pertains and are herein incorporated byreference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent,or patent applications was specifically and individually indicated to beincorporated by reference.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

1. A portable head-mounted light therapy device comprising: a strap forsecuring the device to a user's head; and a light box connected to thestrap and comprising one or more light sources selectable by the userand directable to a face or one or more eyes of the user, wherein theone or more light sources provides white light, red light, or acombination thereof, and wherein the one or more light sources areswitchable either alone or in combination to provide one or more whitelights, one or more red lights, or a combination of white and redlights.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more light sourcesare one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).
 3. The device of claim 1or 2, wherein the white light or red light is bright, dim, or acombination thereof.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein thestrap is adjustable.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the light box ispivotable at an angle relative to a substantially vertical plane todirect the one or more light sources at the angle to the user's face. 7.The device of claim 6, wherein the angle is from about −5 to about +20degrees.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the light box comprises anactuator for activating or adjusting the one or more light sources. 9.The device of claim 8, wherein the actuator is actuated in one or morepositions to select the one or more light sources.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the red light is configured to about 80 lux at 5 cm,and the white light is configured to about 800 lux at 5 cm.
 11. A lightbox for a portable head-mounted light therapy device, the light boxcomprising one or more light sources selectable by a user and directableto a face or one or more eyes of the user, wherein the one or more lightsources provides white light, red light, or a combination thereof, andwherein the one or more light sources are switchable either alone or incombination to provide one or more white lights, one or more red lights,or a combination of white and red lights.
 12. The light box of claim 11,wherein the one or more light sources are one or more light emittingdiodes (LEDs).
 13. The light box of claim 11, wherein the white light orred light is bright, dim, or a combination thereof.
 14. The light box ofclaim 10, wherein the one or more light sources provide a combination ofwhite light and red light.
 15. The light box of claim 10, wherein thered light is configured to about 80 lux at 5 cm, and the white light isconfigured to about 800 lux at 5 cm. 16-37. (canceled)
 38. A method oftreating a disease or condition associated with light deficiency or acircadian rhythm disorder or disturbance in a user, comprising providingthe portable head-mounted light therapy device of claim 1 to the user,placing the device on the head of the user, actuating the light sourceand directing light from the light source to a face and one or more eyesof the user.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the disease orcondition associated with light deficiency is seasonal affectivedisorder, sub-syndromal seasonal defective disorder, sub-syndromalseasonal affective disorder, jet-lag, generalized mood disorder,pre-menstrual syndrome, sleep disorder, or antepartum depression,post-partum depression, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder.40. The method of claim 38, wherein the disease or condition associatedwith light deficiency is depression.
 41. In a portable head-mountedlight therapy device for treating a disease or condition associated withlight deficiency, the improvement comprising a means to increaseefficacy of treatment of said disease or condition through the selectionof white light, red light, or a combination thereof. 42-44. (canceled)